Mets prospect Matz says he improved curveball, command in 2014

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2/24/15) Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz has had a pretty good run in the minors, going 17-16 with a 2.32 ERA over 51 career starts. Although, he admits he made some strides in 2014, going 10-9 with 2.25 ERA in 24 starts between high Class A and Double-A.

"My curveball got a lot better," Matz said, per ESPN. "When I got to Double-A, I just started throwing it more on my sides and stuff. So I think that's why it got better -- just more repetition. It's a 'feel' pitch. So the more I threw it the better I got.

"And then my walks went down when I got to Double-A [1.9 per nine innings, compared with 2.7 with St. Lucie]. I think I was just getting ahead of hitters. I don't really know why. I just felt like I had more command when I got to Double-A."

Matz is now considered the Mets' second-best prospect, according to Baseball America.

Mets already consider Steven Matz depth for rotation

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11/19/14) Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said he is reluctant to consider prospect Steven Matz as a reliever out of the bullpen in 2015 because he considers the left-handed hurler as depth for the major-league rotation, according to NJ.com.

"I think we’d be reluctant to throw him in the 'pen," Alderson said. "It is a possibility. You try to go into the season eight or nine deep with starting pitching that you can rely on. He would certainly be in that mix at this point. Taking him out of that mix so he’s not lengthened out or he’s not ready to go if something were to happen -- as it always does -- so it’s unlikely."

The start of Matz's career was delayed for two seasons by Tommy John surgery, but he's been on the fast track since making his pro debut in 2012. He progressed to Double-A last season, and he is 17-16 with a 2.32 ERA in 51 career starts. He also has a 1.17 WHIP and is striking out 9.3 batters per nine innings.

"He was really great all season," Alderson said of Matz's 2014 campaign. "You don’t see a lefthander sitting at 93-94 consistently with the assortment of pitches. He was great this season. Very definitely on the short list at this point."

02/06/2015 14:382015 Fantasy Outlooks: New York Mets
Mets fans might not think the team did enough to improve over the offseason, but look at that pitching. Our Scott White greets the Mets in his 2015 team outlook.